If you died....

In response to the killing of an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Missouri, and the biased media coverage of the victim that followed, young people of color on social media began wondering how they might be portrayed if the same happened to them. These pictures are powerful reminders of how stories get told in America.

How do we detect bias in the news?

Police and Thieves

On the final "Last Week Tonight" of August, John Oliver dove into what sadly has become the biggest national news story of the summer, the ongoing violence in Ferguson, Missouri.

"This whole story is depressingly familiar," Oliver began. "And there are so many unanswered questions regarding why an officer would shoot an unarmed teenager. What is absolutely clear is that the police have handled everything since then terribly."

From there, Oliver went on to criticize officials at every level in Missouri, from the city's police chief and mayor to the governor, for their tone-deafness, hostility and overt patronization of the citizens of Ferguson.

The comedian reserved his most pointed barbs, however, for the police themselves, not just in Ferguson but throughout the country. While Oliver made it clear that "not all cops are bad," he drove home the top-down problem of an increasingly militarized police force in the wake of the war on drugs and September 11 attacks.

Are the criticisms of the Police fair? Are they likely to bring about change? Why or why not?

Read the Ferguson Perspective from a Cop's Wife. Does this change your opinion?

Newsworthiness

What was NEWSWORTHY about your SummerVacation?

What makes something newsworthy?

Use the newspapers in class to complete 'Where does news come from?'

Is this story newsworthy?

Commencement

Graduation speech topics guide including the lines and rules of thumb for creating an welldone job in the open:

1. Thank teachers and your parents or other family members for their support, encouragement, help, aid or personal assistance during your years of studying.

2. Praise accomplishments and achievements of the class.

3. Reflect upon the past years, what has changed and is interesting enough to share with all?

4. Mention funny and exciting events, you can opt for funny oneliners or even small innocent jokes, poems or quotations from famous people if you like.

5. Motivate your fellow students and teachers and professors to look to the bright future.

Who spoke at Miami's Commencement this year?  What was his message?

#Bring Back Our Girls

Celebrities galore have been been spreading awareness of the heartbreaking situation in Nigeria by tweeting with the hashtag "Bring Back Our Girls" -- even Michelle Obama got in on the action, tweeting a picture of herself looking sad and holding a sign that read "#BringBackOurGirls," which of course was either incredibly inspirational or deeply insulting, depending on how you feel about the Obamas.

Is this just another example of hashtag 'Slactivism' or do you think it will bring about actual change?

Voluntary Slavery

 As Americans we pride ourselves in being the 'Land of the Free' and yet only 17% of registered voters took part in this week's election; our most basic Democratic freedom.  While our voter apathy may be a form of 'voluntary slavery,'  slavery is very real for an estimated 27 million people in the world today.  Thats more than all of the African Slave trade in the 19th century combined!

The recent story of the kidnapped school girls in Nigeria is a reminder that we should never take our education or our freedom for granted.

What can we do to bring an end to slavery?

Will it work or is it 'slacktivism?'

Do your purchases support slavery?

Would you look the other way?

Prom Rules!?

A YouTube video shows several dances that will not be allowed at this year's Freedom High School (Virginia) prom. Grinding, or bending over while dancing, straddling legs, moshing, imitating sexual actions, or pulling off clothing...none of it will be permitted. And hands must stay on waists and shoulders.

"It's a school sponsored function. And the school will set parameters as we see fit," said Assistant Principal Dr. Michelle Luttrell.

See the PowerPoint explaining the 'Do's' and 'Don'ts.'

Do you agree or disagree with these restrictions?

Should Talawanda enforce similar policies? What Policies do we have?

How has dancing changed over the years?

Learn some sweet dance moves for Prom.